Many American Indian (AI) women never receive services for serious mental health problems resulting from traumatic events, violence exposure and maltreatment. AI women suffer higher lifetime rates of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (20-23%), that often co-occur with excessive drinking and risky sexual behaviors. These factors magnify risk for human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted disease (HIV/STI). In full development with tribal partners, this application, proposes a 3-year project to culturally adapt and pilot an empirically supported trauma-focused treatment, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, substance use and HIV/STI sexual risk behavior among 50 AI women. Additionally, the investigators will assess the feasibility, acceptability and treatment fidelity of delivering CPT via AI community health workers in a resource-limited tribal reservation. This project brings a culturally responsive intervention to an understudied and highly vulnerable population. Its significance lies in its potential to advance science in the area of PTSD, substance use treatment and HIV/STI prevention among AI women. Study data would benefit tribal and rural communities and the mental health field. Finally, it is geared toward developing the research infrastructure and mental health treatment capacity serving AI women living in rural settings, a group at risk for an expanding HIV/AIDS epidemic. If successful, findings from this pilot will provide evidence for a larger effectiveness trial.

The AIMS are AIM I. Adapt the evidence-based CPT intervention in full collaboration with tribal partners. This will be done in accordance with the CDC's Map of Adaptation Process and involves formative research with tribal leaders, potential consumers, providers, and health care administrators using qualitative methodology.

AIM 2. Assess this intervention delivered by Native American community health workers for feasibility and acceptability in a resource-limited rural reservation setting.

DUF is a self-report measure of illicit drug use, rating what drugs were used, how often, and by which methods (injection, smoking, e.g.). Participant rates each drug on the same 0-7 frequency scale for the past 6 months (0=never, 1=several times, 2=about once a month, 3=several times a month, 4=1-2 days a week, 5=3-4 days a week, 6=5-6 days a week, 7=everyday)

DUF is a self-report measure of illicit drug use, rating what drugs were used, how often, and by which methods (injection, smoking, e.g.). Participant rates each drug on the same 0-7 frequency scale for the past 6 months (0=never, 1=several times, 2=about once a month, 3=several times a month, 4=1-2 days a week, 5=3-4 days a week, 6=5-6 days a week, 7=everyday)

condom use is calculated by subtracting the number of vaginal or anal condom-protected sex acts in the last 6 weeks from the total number of sex acts then dividing the sum by the number of total sex acts.

A continuous measure and dichotomous measure (at 100% condom use) will be assessed to report

condom use is calculated by subtracting the number of vaginal or anal condom-protected sex acts in the last 6 weeks from the total number of sex acts then dividing the sum by the number of total sex acts.

A continuous measure and dichotomous measure (at 100% condom use) will be assessed to report

Immediate group receives Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive CPT-C intervention within one week of being consented into the study

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive

Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive (CPT-C) uses education about trauma reactions, emotional processing, and cognitive strategies to reduce trauma-related cognitive distortions. CPT is a manualised 12 session cognitive behavioral treatment for PTSD which offers an alternative to purely exposure based interventions. CPT has a smaller exposure component than imaginal exposure therapy and is therefore potentially more acceptable to clients or practitioners seeking alternatives to purely exposure focused treatments. CPT-C omits the written trauma account, and includes more practice of cognitive techniques during the sessions. The treatment was developed for twice weekly sessions over 6 weeks. It also directly targets associated problems such as depression, guilt and anger.

Other Name: Cognitive Processing Therapy - Cognitive (CPT-C)

Cognitive Processing Threapy-Cognitive

Wait list group: waits 6 weeks before receiving the Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive (CPT-C) intervention. During this period no intervention is received

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive

Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive (CPT-C) uses education about trauma reactions, emotional processing, and cognitive strategies to reduce trauma-related cognitive distortions. CPT is a manualised 12 session cognitive behavioral treatment for PTSD which offers an alternative to purely exposure based interventions. CPT has a smaller exposure component than imaginal exposure therapy and is therefore potentially more acceptable to clients or practitioners seeking alternatives to purely exposure focused treatments. CPT-C omits the written trauma account, and includes more practice of cognitive techniques during the sessions. The treatment was developed for twice weekly sessions over 6 weeks. It also directly targets associated problems such as depression, guilt and anger.

Current Substance Use At least 2 days of heavy drinking in the past 30 day period (4 or more drinks over the course of 2 hours) OR Recent substance consumption (other than opioids) in the last 3 months

Current trauma-focused mental health treatment (MH) in the past 30 days

Suicide attempt or suicidal ideation with intent or plan, or self-harm in the past month

Presence of a psychotic disorder or uncontrolled Bipolar Disorder

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01849029